Mariani Wine was a tonic vine, created 1863 by the Corse Angelo Mariani. It consisted of Bordeaux wine and extracts of Peruvian coca leaves. The beverage contained ethylbenzoylecgonine, which is very similar to Cocaine (methylbenzoylecgonine) and thus has similar effects.

While in Germany coca-wine was prohibited 1920 because of the cocaine, in the USA it was for its alcohol; Cocaine remained a legal substance until 1970!
However, already at the end of the 19th century people became increasingly aware of the negative side effects of excessive cocaine consumption. Some producers like Pemberton, designer of Pemberton's French Wine Coca
which by the time would transform into todays Coca-Cola, began to extract the cocaine from their beverages.

Due to the coca extracts and the red wine Mariani Wine had a very stimulating effect.Vin Mariani advertised (in November 1896), that their "original French Coca Wine {was} most popularly used {as} tonic-stimulant in Hospitals, Public and Religious Institutions everywhere" and recommended "since thirty years by all eminent physicians". It would "nourish, fortify, refresh and strengthen the entire system", while being "most agreeable". It's "exceptional reputation" like being an "effective and lasting renovator of the vital forces" would stand "every test strictly on its own merits". Further it was "palatable as choicest old wines".
This patent medicine was praised for a bunch of helpful effects on the human body like digestive, appetite suppressant, anti-depressant, and treatment against illnesses like malaria, influenza or anemia.
The recommended dose was daily two or three claret-glassfuls taken preferably before or immediately after a meal.

Coca-Cola developed from coca wineVin Mariani soon became a success on both sides of the Atlantic, which rapidly entailed a lot of copycats. The historically most important imitator was John Pemberton. His French Wine Coca
over time has transformed into todays well-known Coca-Cola.

With the blessing of Holy Mother Church
Among the innumerable fans of Mariani Wine were besides a lot of famous people (the picture above shows advertisement featuring an endorsement from Berthelier, a popular late 19th century actor) the contemporary popes. Pope Leo XIII. even awarded Vin Mariani with a Vatican gold medal and thus became a vehicle for its advertising. More examples of advertisements and endorsments on
Vin Mariani <the nonist.com> and
Vino de Coca Mariani <perso.wanadoo.es>.